Iron steam yacht Minnow, built Peto & Brassey, Woodside, Birkenhead 1858. Intended to
test "fish-tail" propulsion devised by Charles de Bergue of Strangeways Iron Works, Manchester.
Engines of 60 hp. constructed by Joy, Leeds. 120 x 14 x 7.5 ft, 124 tons.
This experiment, comprising "fish-tail" plates at each side, must
have been unsucessful - when later advertised for sale, she was
described as having new engines and boiler in 1867, with ordinary
floats (rather than fish-tail).
First registered 1866 at Preston, owned William Allsup. ON 45671.
Advertised as taking passengers between Southport, Lytham and Preston.
In 1877 described as a North Pier Steamboat [Blackpool]. For sale
1879. Ownership in Douglas, Isle of Man, 1888 [registered as 67grt,
43nrt, 40hp, sloop rigged]. Broken up 1891.
More history.
[from Liverpool Daily Post - Monday 05 October 1857]:
NEW PRINCIPLE FOR STEAM-BOAT PROPULSION. On Saturday last, a beautiful little
steam yacht was launched from the building yard of Messrs. Peto, Brassey,
and Co., Woodside. The vessel, which is of iron, was built as an experiment,
with which to test the new principle ot steam-boat propulsion discovered or invented by Mr.
Charles de Bergue. The vessel is an exceedingly handsome craft, beautifully
modelled from lines drafted by Mr. Birch, of the Canada Works. In length she is 120
feet on the load-line, with breadth of beam of 14 feet, and depth of 7
feet 6 inches. She is very sharp and elegant in her lines, the cutwater being
thin and clean, with fine run aft, and has a beautiful set of deck
sections. This very elegant craft, which was launched at ten minutes past
eleven o'clock, forenoon, was named the "Minnow," by Mr. Charles de
Bergue.
The Minnow is 124 tons register, and is intended be worked by two
horizontal floats, which operate in a chamber, one on each side of the vessel
and held in position by a crank. Those floats are so regulated in their motion as to
produce an action on the water, to which they are exposed in the chambers, as to be
almost identical with that of an eel's tail while propelling the fish through the
water. The contrivance is an exceedingly ingenious one, which has been invented by Mr.
Charles de Bergue, of the Strangeway Iron Works, Manchester, for whom, and under
whose superintendence, the vessel was built.
It is to be fitted with condensing
engines of sixty-horse power, constructed also upon a new principle, and
made by Mr. Joy, of Leeds.
The vessel went gallantly off tbe stocks, and
took to her future element in beautiful style; the ceremony being
witnessed, notwithstanding a heavy fall of rain, by a numerous assemblage of
ladies and gentlemen, friends, we believe, of the owner, who
afterwards, we understood, partook of luncheon with him. Immediately after being
launched, the Minnow was towed round to the graving-dock of Messrs.
Clayton and M'Keverigan, where her engines will be put in and her rigging put
up.
Possibly re-launch - with conventional propeller. Or a different
vessel. [from Manchester
Courier - Saturday 24 April 1858]:
A Steamer on New Principle. A few days ago there was launched from the
shipbuilding yard of Messrs. Braesey and Co., at the Canada Works,
Birkenhead, a very handsome steam yacht, built for Mr. De Bergue, of
Manchester, on a somewhat new principle. The engine is constructed on
the high-pressure plan, with a patent surface condenser, and there is no
waste steam pipe. Fresh water is used in the boiler, and by the
application of the surface condensor the water does not evaporate. The
new vessel is 120 feet in length, and about 50 horses' power.
[from Preston Herald - Saturday 24 August 1867]:
Boat excursion to Lytham and Southport. Tomorrow (Sunday). August 25,
the steamer MINNOW will leave Preston Quay at 7-0 a.m. for Lytham, and
Lytham at 8-15 a.m. for Southport. Returning from Southport at 4-30
p.m. for Lytham, and from Lytham 6-0 p.m. for Preston Fares Preston to Lytham
and back, 1s 6d ; Preston to Southport and back, 3s.
[from Liverpool Mercury - Saturday 05 July 1879]:
STEAMER MINNOW, Built of iron in 1858. Length. 110ft. 8in. by 14ft.
3in. by 7ft. Had new boiler and single diagonal engine in 1867,
cylinder 23in. diameter; 4ft. stroke; ordinary floats. Speed eight
miles on very light consumption of coals; draws 4ft. 6in. Certificate
for 257 passengers. For further particulars and prices, or to inspect,
apply to Mr. D. W. Allsup, Strand-road, Preston.